Clean your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth or let them "chew" or teethe on a clean, damp cloth

When the first tooth makes its grand appearance you can start brushing it with a small, soft toothbrush that has a tiny dab of fluoridated toothpaste

Wean your child off the bottle by one year of age to prevent baby bottle tooth decay due to sucking on a bottle.  Too much sucking on pacifiers, fingers or thumbs may cause their teeth to  become crooked

Give them an infant toothbrush to teethe on

Apply dental sealants to help prevent decay.  Sealants are clear protective coatings applied to the teeth in the back of the mouth where nearly 84% of childhood cavities occur.

NEVER give your child a bottle of milk, juice, pop or sweetened drinks like Kool-Aid at bedtime or nap time.  If you must give them something to drink during these times use fluoridated water

When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using a pea size dab of toothpaste.  Be sure to press the toothpaste into the bristles of their brush so they won't eat the toothpaste!